SEPTEMBER 29, 1963

Full News Archive

• Headline: Civil Rights Symposium: What Next for Equality?. Impact: This symposium was a pivotal moment that eventually led to the formation of several organizations. Imagine if they'd just had a group text instead; we might be living in a world where emojis are the primary form of communication. Fact: The only thing more complicated than the struggle for civil rights at this symposium was trying to find a parking spot in 1964.
• Headline: Roosevelt Jr.'s Historic Somali Visit. Impact: Roosevelt Jr. visiting Somalia? That's right; little did he know he was just one plane ticket away from inspiring a whole new genre of travel blogs that would later make influencers famous. Fact: Travel was a lot less Instagrammable in 1964. No filters, just good old-fashioned adventure (and possibly dysentery).
• Headline: Vatican II Resumes. Impact: Vatican II's resumption opened the door to modernizing the Church, which ultimately led to more discussions about the role of women in the Church. Who knew that talking could lead to such monumental change?. Fact: This was basically the Church’s version of a reboot, kind of like when a TV show gets a new cast but still pretends it's the same story.
• Headline: DOMINICAN COUP STIRS NEW TENSION IN CARIBBEAN; Overthrow of Democratic Regime Offers New Opportunities for Castro and Deals Strong Blow to U.S. Alliance for Progress Three Effects Shocked Reaction Breeding Ground Widening Effects Possible Reactions Rising Pressures Tensions In Guiana Disturbing Choice. Impact: The Dominican coup sent shockwaves through the Caribbean, resulting in a never-ending cycle of political coups, protests, and the occasional beach party, proving that political instability really knows how to throw a good fiesta. Fact: In the wake of this coup, the phrase 'It's not you, it's me' became a popular excuse for countries breaking off diplomatic relations.
• Headline: GIFT OF 11 MILLION RECEIVED BY R.P.L; Cogswell Grant Is Largest in History of School. Impact: Receiving the largest grant in history was like winning the lottery for the R.P.L. school. This eventually led to a surge in students who thought they could also just ask for free money, which is still happening today. Fact: The widow who set up the trust fund probably thought she was just helping a school, not inadvertently creating a generation of school fundraisers with delusions of grandeur.
• Headline: MORE U.S.-SOVIET TRADE?; AS THE U.S. WEIGHS EXPORTS TO RUSSIA--THE SOVIET TRADE PICTURE AND COMMENTS ON THE NEED FOR MORE WHEAT. Impact: The discussions around U.S.-Soviet trade were like two neighbors eyeing each other’s lawns—everyone wanted to trade but was worried about the other one’s invasive weeds ruining the deal. This paved the way for decades of negotiation and passive-aggressive diplomacy. Fact: In the 1960s, the phrase 'Let’s make a deal' had a very different connotation than it does now—mostly because there was no reality TV host involved.